It suddenly picks up with the typical mind-blowing Rochinate move that still takes everyone by surprise.The Laconian Empire has fallen, setting the thirteen hundred solar systems free from the rule of Winston Duarte. If I had any criticisms, it would be very small- but the first half of the book was a little slow. And it is this realism that makes the Expanse the best series I have read.

Much older and not frozen in the peak of youth. They are still brave, adventurous, optimistic, stupid and sexy but they are older.

What I particularly love about this series is the fact we see our heroes age. The final fates of all the characters were perfect and expected given previous books- Holden would always be the hero, Naomi would be the quiet strength keeping everything going, Alex would choose people above everything, and Amos would be the last man standing. It was nice to have little updates on people, we had met before in previous books including Miller. The effects of the protomolecule, what happened to the alien gate builders and an explanation of the evil ancient entity and why they were intent on destruction. The final book finally ties up all the plot threads from the previous books- the Laconian Empire, its fall and then trying to reassert their dominance. The plot is driven by action but is also by the characters. We also have Kit, Alex’s son, a man trying to be a good father, a good husband and a good son on a background of a universe in peril. Elvi, an ordinary woman caught up in all the action- continues to be my favourite, Taanka, the Martian killer colonel who really takes no prisoners and never deviates from her goal, is one of the main characters and her chapters are truly scary- a true Martian killing machine. The book has several point of view chapters- the familiar ones from Holden, Naomi and Alex and some new people. The last book left us with a deadish Amos saving the day, the Laconian Empire falling and the universe’s ancient enemy who destroyed the gate builders awake but at least Holden was reunited with the rest of the crew along with Teresa Duarte. This is not a series you can jump into with the final book. I’m jumping straight into the review without a summary or blub because if you haven’t read any of the previous books, the blurb will make no sense. A hundred people who spent their lives loving and caring for each other. But for every atrocity, there are a thousand small kindnesses that no one noticed. Please note there will be spoilers for the previous books and this one. And it is this realism that makes this one of the best series I have read. I love the fact we see our heroes grow old but are still brave, adventurous, optimistic, stupid and sexy. Read my review of Leviathan Falls by James S.

James corey leviathan series